Translator of electrical energy



April 24, 1928.

H. M. WILLIAMSON TRANSLATOR OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY Filed Dec.

8, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet. 1

April 24, 1928.

H. M. WILLIAMSON TRANSLATOR OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY Filed Dec. 8, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Y.

April 24, 1928. 1,667,021

H. M. WlLLIAMSON TRANSLATOR OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY Filed Dec. 1923 1S Sheets-Sheet 3 f6 .16

2/ 1 la 5 6 6 ad INVENTOR. er"? x on Patented Apr. 24, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT orr ca.

HENRY M. WILLIAMSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO JOHNSON-WILLIAMSON LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRANSLATOR OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY.

Application filed December a, 1923. Serial No. 679,426.

tions, to avoid elimination of characteristic features of the electrical 'j impulses in the translating instrument,'whereby the transl a tions willsubstantially correspond wlth said impulses,,and to produce a translating in- -strument-wh1ch'1s simple and inexpensive.

Theinvention will be understood., if reference ismade to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a planyiewof a device embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a view in elevation showing 'a side of the device; I Figure 3 is a sectional view, taken on the line 33 of Figure 1, the windings of the electro-magnets beingomitted;

Figure} is a perspective 'view showing a bobbin constituting a part of one of the electro-magnets;

Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4;

F igure 6 .is a perspective View of the armature and its transmittin stylus;

Figure 7 is a view. in e evation showin the pole, pieces, the bobbins and the windings of the electro-magnets;

Figure 8 shows a blank for one of the two pole pieces;

Figure 9 shows a blank for the other pole piece, and

Figure 10 shows one of the-inner terminals with which the pole pieces are provided.

Figures 11 and 12 are, respectively, a plan and an elevation of a modification. with the casing in section, and Figures 13 and 14 show a phonograph with my device attached thereto.

Figure 15.sh0ws a further modification of the invention.

The device in which the invention is embodied comprises a plurality of electro-magnets 1 and 1, pole pieces 2 and 3, a permanent magnet 4, and an armature 5.

Each of the electromagnets, 1, l",-ii1- cludes a hollow bobbin 6, and a winding 7. The mechanical constructions of these electro-magnets may be identical, although the windings are so connected as to produce different magnetic fields.

- The pole piece 2 has, preferably, four terminals 2 and 2 and 2 and 2, between which the electro-magnets 1 and 1 are, respectively, disposed. The other pole piece 3 is provided with similar terminals and 3. and 39 and 3 between which the electromagnets, 1 and 1, are also, respectively, disposed. I

The permanent magnet 4 is, preferably, of U form, and has a long leg 4 and a short leg 4", thelong leg being secured to an exten sion 2 of the pole piece 2, while the short 1 leg 4 is secured to an extension 3 of the pole piece 3, bolts 8 and 8 being, respectively, employed as the securing means. v

The armature 5 consists of a strip of soft iron extending through t-he hollow bobbins 6, and laterally sustained in each bobbin between fulcra 6?, preferably disposed a'bout midway the length of each bobbin and formed by displaced portions of the walls 6". This armature should be suiliciently thin at its middle portion 5 to afford the required degreeof resiliency, regardless of the thickness of other parts thereof, whereby it is, in effect, divided into two parts, 5 and 5, each of whichfulcruins at 6 and is responsive to variations in the lines of force developed adjacent thereto by currents flowing through the windings of the proximate electro-magnet. The resiliency may be Varied by providing the armature with holes 5 -wh1ch reduce the sectional area of its middle portion,

and said armature should be reduced in width at all partsthereof which are out of line with the fulcra 6, the object bein to avoid contact with the sides of the b0 bin and prevent chattering.

The bobbins are each composed of some non-magnetic material, such as brass .-or aluminum, and the body of each is a flattened tube which substantially conforms to the shape of the armature which extends through both bobbins. The ends of the bobpieces "are held in position by screws 2 extending through holes in the a rmature and holes 2 in the pole piece3 and threaded-into holes 2. in .the pole piece 2,

'lV ibratioiisfof the armature are transmitted to gene eiztrafieous' dbject s uch a a diaphragrii 9' moiinted in 'a ring "9,

said l ever at 11, said arm 'bei ng 'rigidlyconnectedf'a't 11f" with a transmitting stylus 12 which 'exbends through 'a'h'ole 2"'in the pole armature.

a of said "A v rod. 9 connects the lever 10' with the 'iliaphiag'i'nf'i) .at ''9,' and the styl'iism which'e'xtendsj'through the arm 11,

'has shouldb'rs 1 2" upset a'gainst opposite sides rm. The lever 10 and the man-11' a're', prefiel ably, extensions -of the "law, the resulti'n dot "d hires, U

ie'c s'2 and 3, and their respec- 'ti'v'e' termini; s Tamil 3, and"2"en'd 3, are formed 'hbiii theblank's'shown in Figures 8 ,'"aippropriately."bent 'as indicated by e pole and 9 these integrant products being easily aaa- 'ciieagiy inside in a' ipunch press. The terminals 233", 2 afiidf.'3,"are'of the form shown in'Figure 110*a'nd1are provided with lugs 13"which extend through holes 14 in the r'e'spedtiye pole pieces 2"a'nd 3- and are upse't at their ends.

'The=lever' 10 "may be' provided with a groove ordep'ression 10 for reception of the stylus 15 of a phonograph, as shown in Figure 2,

In operating the device, an alternating current 'ispermitted to enterat X, the out-' putbeing at Y, Figure 7 lhe current flows through the winding of the electro-magnet 1 from which it'passes to and through the reverse windings of the electro=magnet 1, whereby, in obedience to a known physical g fields of magnetic force set u in 'the armature what are termed consequent poles, these poles being'disposed at thebenter of'said armature. That is, if the poles at the extremities ofthe'ariria tu're are north poles, there will be two contiguous south'poles at the center of the armature. Shohldthe current be reversed, 'the positions ofithe pol'es will be altered, the north poles being then disposed contiguou sly at the center of the -armature, while the 'south poles assume the positions previously occupied by the north poles.

The leg 4" of the permanent magnet 1 is a north pole, while the leg 4 is a south pole, and. consequently, the associated pole pieces 2 and 3 and their respective four terminals, have like polarities. \Vhen, therefore, reversals of polarities in the four parts of the armature'occuigthc adjacent terminals of the pole pieces will each operate to alternately attractan'd repelt'hose four parts, thereby vibrating the ari'natnre. Thus, if the ex- "tremitis ofthe "arinhture should be north poles, and the intermediate parts which are disposed 'betwent'he fi'ilcra 6 should be south poles, at any/given finstant, pole pieces 3* and sea-rid repulsed'by "the pole'pie'ces 2"and'2 in'te'ii'nediatej'south pales of the' armatlure will be 'att'racted"by the intermediate pole; pie'ce's Zfia'nd 2,"a-nd repulsed by the interniedia'te pole 3 and 3?, so that the 'ari'iiatui e as a whole willbeYdistorted, the

part between the ifulcrzfti beingjfle'xed in the direction of the pole pieces 2" and'2, and the'ext-reinit'ies being fiexedinjthe'direction ofthe pole pieces 3 and 3". 'Theres'ults attending reversals ofp'olarities in the armature are similar, although the'fiexing'bf the armature is in the'oppdsitedirectiom' The bending of the armature'ismin'ute,although when 'vi'e ii'ed in relation to the vibrations of sound-producing 'diaphragms, 'it' isof considera'ble niagnitudehnd sufficiently ample to produce sound jiv'a ves of much intensity.

It is, of course, x'v jlijwit'hin fthe'elas'tic limi ts of the substance of -whichthe armature is comp osed, so that there is always 'a' tendency to assume the normal median position.

ted through the attached stylus 12, the arm 11,'the lever 10 and'the stylus 9", "to the diaphragm 9, Figure 1, or from the lever 10- to the needle 15 ofla phonograph, Figure 2, whereby sound of the required volume is produced. The flexible mounting of the lever 10 at 10,'not only enables said leverto vibrate laterally, but tends to hold the armature in normal position. Said mounting, as shown, is produced by reducing the thickness otthe lever 10, thereby forming ahinge of resilient character which is-capab'le 'of sustaining the load imposed by a phonograph needlefan-dits associated e'lements. The initial acoustical element of the device is the armature which isnormall'y under tension produced by the attraction of the eightpermanently magnetized polep'ieces, the utility of this initial tension bein erv idance of the work which otherwise would have to be imposed upon'tlie -currentin overcoming moments throughout the entire armature, whereby Vibrations'of the armature a're tra'nsmi't of molecular inertia said armature is enabled to translate even the feeblest electrical impulses or variations into mechanicahvibrations, and suppression of the higher audible frequency waves is avoided. The attainment of these desirable results renders the sound waves originating at the diaphragm of the instrument both powerful and clear, and ensures their true phase relation to the electrical impulses in the windings'of the instrument.

The magnet 4, as stated, has a north pole Pand a'south pole- 1", and the respective pole-pieces are ofcorresponding polarities. Consequently, the armature 5, which is made of soft iron and initially possesses no magnetism, would be equally attracted by the adjacent north andisouth pole-pieces, pro vided it were. possible to mount it in a median position between said pole-pieces and to provide jpo'le-pieces of equal potencies. Since however, such a fine adjustment is not attainable, the magnetic pull of one pole will be-greater than that of another pole, and also theflow of magnetic flux through the armature willfbe such'that the polarities of its parts which are nearer the pole or poles on one side thereof, will be different from the polarities ofthe -fparts which are further from-said pole or poles. Under these conditions, the armature -will be molecularly tensioned, so that as-stated, it will ever be ready,,to,,respond to the successive impulses ofthe electro-magnet. 1

. The conservation of electrical energy which results from the molecular tension in all parts of the armature, and from the use of a .multipole armature of reversible character associated with means for utiliz ing bothalternations of an alternating eurrent, admits ofthe employment of a multiplying lever, such as 10, foramplifying the vibrations of a' sound-producing diaphragm and,increasing the intensity of the sound waves.

As already stated, the armature is initially held under tensionby the attraction of the permanently magnetized pole pieces between which it is disposed. When, therefore, a current flows through the windings of the electro-magnets and magnetizes the armature, thereby establishing consequent poles therein. said armature which was theretofore substantially balanced between the pole pieces, is instantly biased by the attraction ,of the contiguous unlike poles and by the repulsion of the contiguouslike poles, the abnormal. molecular stresses being maintained until the electrical impulse ceases. A reversevalternation or impulse operates in the same manner, although biasing of the armature takes place in the opposite direction. The armature is, therefore, a sensitive -mechanieal element which faithfully responds to variations in current energ and operates to translate electrical impulses into mechanical vibrations without substantial loss of energy. 1

Utilization of a plurality of pole pieces, and of an armature which is capable of having a plurality of induced poles, eventuates in a maximum distortion of the armature, the strength of the magnetic flux being pro-v a single pole constituting one point of 'ex-' posure. v

The invention is especially useful-in the art of radio transmission wherein it is'essent-ial that feeble electrical waves reaching a receiving :station shall-be faithfully translatedinto intensive and undistortedsound waves.

Although the device is especially adapted for the translation of alternating currents, it may be usedwith some advantages if supplied with a pulsating 0r,.an interrupted current. Y C .1

The device shown in Figures 11 and 12 is generally the same as that, whichhas been described, although the permanent magnet has legs of the same length and'the pole pieces, the electro-magnetsjandthe armature bear a different an ular relatlon to the er-- disposition of the parts admitting of the ready application of the stylus or needle 15 to the groove -18,of the lever when it is transferred from the record of the phono graph with its associated sound box and tone arm. 7

The blanks from which the pole pieces of the modified device are made are, as respects the integrant parts, different from those shown in Figures 8 and 10, the portions 2*" and 3 being omitted and the extensions 10 and 11 being altered, as shown.

The table of the phonograph, Figures 13 and 14, may have several marginal openings 19 through which the needle may be passed downward to engage the groove 18. This arrangement admits of the placing of the device within the limits of the table and economizes space.

The device represented in Figure 15 in-.

ap pe rta ini rrg: thereto.

The polarities indicated in Figure 15, are such as prevail at a given instant only, the podaifities bein reversed when the direction of-the current is changed, as it" wou'ldb'e-if, for instance, an alternating current-were flowing-through "the windings. However, regardless o-t the direction of the current, certain of the'poles which attract will coo'pe ra'te'with certain ot'li'er' p'crleswl'iich repel,

thus bringing into action forces which comb ine and cause 'a strong vi"ln':itory'-'action 0t t'he arm'ature and ''wha'teveracoustical "or other device may be connected therewith.

The 'polepieces are, respectively; supported by pieces 23, 23 of non-magnetic material, such as brass and-hirethusmagfletically independent.

It will be understood that the armature would act without change of function if currc'nt energy were employed to e'tfect its magnetization, and thatth'e 'saineis'true of the magnets employed in the other described forms of "the device.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. -A.-n electrical device including=a magnet:

and pole-pieces for said magnet, an armature having a plurality of bearings intermediate its ends and means for changing relative p'ol'arities of said pole-pieces and said -airmaturn.

:2. An electrical instrun'i'ent including magnet and poleqa'iec'es'therefor,= an armature supported at'p'lurai points between its ends and having =a plurality of relatively movable elements, and means 'for changing relative polarities ot'said 'p'o'le pieces and said armature.

3. A translator of electrical energy including electro-niagnets, and armature'elements having reversed windings to "produce consequent poles and free ends, and operatively related to said electro-m'agnets.

41A translator of electri'c'al"energy including means for producing 'a constant magnetic field, flexibly-connected oscillatory armature elements, and reversed windings one for each of said elements.

5. A translator of electrical e'nerg'y includi'ng armature'pa'rts unitedby a thinand re-. silie'nt element and means for establishing magnetic ffields of force adjacent said armature.

6. A-translator of electrical energyincluding electro-ma'gnets and an' armature held. at a. plurality of points between its'en-ds, said. elcct'ro-maignets being so disposed as to'm'agnetize sald armature and tproduce like poles between said .poi'nts,'-'and also like poles at it's extremities.

7. A translator "of electrical energyl 'including flexibly "united armature elements each fulcrumedintermediate "its 'ends,-= and means for esta'blislnngconsequent: Ipo les in said arnilrtmre"elenieiits.f A i -8. 'A translator' ofe'lectrical energy-including permanently-magnetized pole-pieces a resilient armature havin'g fiulcramespedtively disposed between i'ts endsandits middle portion, and reversed windings for establishing consequent 'p'o'lesin sa idarma ture.

9. A translator of electti'cal'=erfe1igy":in' eluding oppositely-disposed pole-pieces liav ing each tour-terminals;aligned bobbins dis poscdbetween said pole pi'eces,"'reversed windings on said bobbins, and "aw-armature extending through said-bobbins.

-10. A translator ofelec'tricar energ im: c'l'nding 'rn'eans for produciir a constant magnetic fiel'd, synchronize oscillatoryarmature elements, and reversed-"windings one for each of said elements producing-like poles at the remote 'e'nd's' of 'said armawre elements, and differ'ent like-"pbles ait proximate ends'o'f sai'd armatureelenients.

11. '-A translator OfeleCtricaT-efieP-g y including means for producing a constant magnetic ifield, synchronized osci lla'tor'y ar'ma'tu re elements, and reversed windingsone for eachof said elements producihglike poles at the re'mote ends or said armature elements,"and d'ifi-e'r'ent like I poles at proximate ends of said armature elements-each of sa'i'd"armatu-re elements having cente'r 'otos'c'ill'ation between-its poles.

12. A translator io f'electrical energyi'ncluding means 'ioi producing a constant m'agnetic field} flexibly 'oo'n'ne'cted oscillatory armature" elel'neii'ts; and reversed windingsone for e'aclro'fsaid elements-maid armature elements being each mounted at a "point which is disposed between the extremities of its winding. I

13. An "electrical jiusmumem havingspaced oles'and 'an" armature cone-prising oscillatory eleni'ents disposed therebetween, and resilient means for 'holding'said "elements in alignment and 'o'iit' ofcbntactwith said poles.

14. An electrical I instrument hasing spaced poles, and aligned oscillator armature elements disposed between"and-out of contact with said pol'es.

15. An electrical instrument haviu-g independently mounted, synchronously movable armatures, and means for limiting relative movements of said armatures.

16. An electrical instrument including in- 5 dependently pivoted synchronously movable armatures, and means for limiting relative movements of said armatures.

17. An electrical instrument including two sources of magnetism one of which is alternating, oscillatory armature elements associated with said sources, and means for restraining relative oscillations of said armature elements.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HENRY M. WILLIAMSON. 

